Aug. 21 is a special non-working holiday

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By Elias O. Baquero

THE Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) yesterday announced that tomorrow, Aug. 21, is a special non-working holiday (not a regular holiday as earlier reported).

This is to commemorate the death of former senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. on the tarmac of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on Aug. 21, 1983.

Ninoy is the father of President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III.

Dole 7 Director Exequiel Sarcauga said that workers who will work tomorrow will receive 30 percent more in addition to their regular pay.

He said that if it’s the rest day or day off of a worker but he is required to work by his company, he will receive a total of 150 percent in compensation, including his regular pay, and not 200 percent of their basic pay as earlier reported.

Exempted

Sarcauga said that those exempted from receiving holiday benefits are personnel with managerial positions, government employees, and those who are paid on commission basis only.

Sarcauga urged employers to pay holiday benefits to their workers based on the law in relation to holidays, otherwise, they will be in legal trouble.

He said that if workers are not paid of holiday benefits, they can ask Dole 7 to conduct adjudication.

The labor official said that because it is the policy of the labor department to work for amicable settlement, the agency will request the employers who are subject of complaints to settle the obligations with their employees.

Sarcauga said that it is only after the refusal of the employers to pay the holiday benefits to their employees that Dole will file charges against them.